5 reasons to travel to Canada
Why go to Canada? What are the reasons that could encourage you to go to explore this "country continent" which is almost unique in the world? For a family holiday or for an adventure alone, here are 5 reasons that make Canada a dream destination!
- 1Quebec, a small part of France
- 2Meet Inuits
- 3Mythical national parks
- 4Discover history
- 5The country of extremes
1. Quebec, a small part of France
If you travel abroad and you happen to speak a little French, you may want to practise it and discuss with locals: if so, Quebec is perfect for you! This large Canadian region is a historical stronghold of French speakers which defends its heritage with heart and soul.
2. Meet Inuits
Nunavik, Nunavut, Yukon, North Western Territories: there are so many spaces, regions and territories where the historical people of the Arctic and the ice fields continue to live with their rituals and their thousand year old customs. Although threatened, they're fighting for their rights to be recognised and for their status to be protected.
3. Mythical national parks
Banff, Jasper, the Rocky Mountains: the mere mention of these parks seems to be a crazy invitation to explore and to walk in some of the most beautiful scenery that it is possible to find in Canada, all in an array of changing colours according to the season.
4. Discover history
Did you know that the Vikings were the first ones to embark on the shores of Canada in L'Anse-aux-Meadows in Newfoundland? Did you also know that the gold rush took place in the Yukon territory? Canada is a country loaded with history whose wealth you don't even suspect!
5. The country of extremes
Admiring the Northern Lights whilst submerged in a natural hot water spring. Getting lost in the tundra travelling in a dog sled. Experiencing days where the sun never sleeps. Coming across a bear, an elk or a wolf on the bend of a path. Doing canoeing in a nature reserve. Eating beaver in a bar in Montreal: Canada is the country of all extremes!
Discover the destination
Why travel in Canada
Travelling to Canada is not as difficult in terms of access as it was before. The country of open spaces, French speakers, and nature has become very accessible and only awaits one more thing: your visit!
You should go if...
- Perhaps you love untouched open spaces, you appreciate walks in nature and you have always dreamed of being able to walk alone for hours.
- Or perhaps you appreciate being able to practise some French on your holidays and you love the typical accent of people from Quebec (which should never be mocked).
- Unexpected culinary experiences will attract you: poutine and beaver tail in Quebec, bison, red grouse or even caribou, all excellent on the barbecue.
- Long road trips over several thousand kilometres will make you dream, from one ocean to another and across landscapes which are as beautiful as they are varied.
- You want to experience the beauty of the Northern Lights, the pleasure of bathing in a natural hot water spring when the outside temperature is below zero.
- You want to discover different urban areas to those in your country, with Montreal the multi-cultural city, Vancouver the American one, or even Quebec the European one!
You shouldn't go if...
- You don't like the cold, the temperatures easily falling to -30° in winter, and you're terrified by the idea of walking on frozen pavements that look like ice rinks.
- You like to hear people speaking French, a different kind to what you may have learned at school, and you can practise with them even if the accent is not the same.
- You're scared of anything that looks more or less like a wild animal: bears, elks, caribou, beaver. The same goes for mosquitoes, snakes and other "unidentified creatures".
- You can't stand that the journey time to go from one place to another can be long. Or even very long, especially to go from Vancouver from Montreal by car!
- You don't like paying taxes, tips, entrance to national parks and you think that everything should be free, all the time, everywhere.
When to go in Canada?
jan
feb
march
april
may
june
july
aug
sept
oct
nov
dec
The best time to visit Canada is hard to define. Winter's great for skiing and summer preferable for outdoor activities and touring the larger towns. Canada also has resplendent Springs and Autumns. So, it really depends on what you're planning to do once in Canada. In general, winter should be avoided as it gets extremely cold with Artic conditions in the Great North. And winter is long in Canada, lasting from December to April...
What to see in Canada?
Top places to discover.
Prepare your trip in Canada
Canada is a country that is well known to tourists but some practical advice and information is always useful to help prepare a trip!
What documents to travel with in Canada?
For trips to Canada of less than 90 days Europeans only need a valid passport, a return air ticket and the money necessary to fund their stay. From March 2016 visitors who don't need a visa will be required to get an eTA (electronic Travel Authorisation) which costs CA$7 and is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires (whichever comes first). The eTA is completed online and should help you to go through customs more quickly as you will avoid being questioned by the Customs Officers at the frontier.
Health advise
You don't need to take any particular precautions for travelling in Canada. You should take out medical insurance, because medicine and hospital treatments are expensive in Canada. For more information you can look at the government website.
Language
Canada has two official languages: English and French.
Time difference
There are 6 time zones in Canada so the time difference will vary according to which town you are in. For example, Quebec is 5 hours behind the UK: when it is noon in London it is 7 a.m. in Montreal.
Phone and internet connection
For international calls Canada uses 001. The internet and Wifi are available everywhere, just like in the UK.
Electricity
Canadian plugs are different to British and you will need an adapter and should also check the voltage.
British Embassy to Canada
80 Elgin Street, Ottawa,
Ontario K1P 5K7
Canadian High Commission in London
Provides advice on Canadian matters
Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London SW1Y 5BJ
Emergency number: 911
